Patents Examined by Michael R Stabley
  • Patent number: 11235838
    Abstract: A vehicle having an electrically operated drive motor, a battery for the energy supply of the drive motor, the battery being secured by a battery lock in a battery compartment of the vehicle and being removable from the battery compartment after unlocking the battery lock, and a control unit for the battery lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ABUS AUGUST BREMICKER SOHNE KG
    Inventor: Stefan Heinemann
  • Patent number: 11235832
    Abstract: A straddled vehicle includes a radiator arranged forward relative to an internal combustion engine and an ECU arranged sideward of the internal combustion engine. At least a portion of a tubular air passage through which the air for cooling the ECU passes is formed between a support cover supporting the ECU and an outer cover. A front cover, an upper cover and an under cover form a groove portion, which extends rearward from a front end portion located upward and forward relative to the radiator and is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction. An inlet opening that communicates with the air passage is formed in the groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kawabata
  • Patent number: 11235830
    Abstract: An bicycle includes a frame assembly having a head tube and a fork having a steerer tube mounted for rotation in the head tube. The bicycle further includes wheels supporting the frame assembly, and a component line positioned at least partially in the head tube and between the head tube and the steerer tube. The bicycle further includes a protector positioned in the head tube and separating the component line from the steerer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robin François Ramon Lechevallier, Jan Talavasek, Marco Werner Sonderegger, David Huwiler, Rudy Megevand
  • Patent number: 11230150
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system is disclosed. The wheel suspension system may include a suspension assembly that may include a sub-frame adapted to be connected to a reference frame of a vehicle, a wheel interface adapted to rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle and to define a wheel rotation axis and a wheel rotation plane, and one or more linking units. Components of the linking unit(s) may be pivotally connected to each other, to sub-frame and to the wheel interface using pivoting connection that may cause components of the linking unit(s) to rotate about axes that are substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. The components of the linking unit(s) may be dimensioned, and positions of the pivoting connections may be set to cause a substantially linear motion of the wheel interface along a reference wheel interface motion axis that is perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Amit Aknin, Ran Dekel, Ahishay Sardes
  • Patent number: 11225298
    Abstract: A seat bench arrangement for a motorcycle is provided, with a tank bearing which is designed for connecting a tank bladder to a vehicle structure, and a seat bench for receiving a motorcyclist. The seat bench is connected to the tank bearing such that the tank bearing forms a bearing for supporting the seat bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Adrian Golling, Mathias Muehlmann
  • Patent number: 11214307
    Abstract: Each of embodiments provides a power transmission device of a steering apparatus including: a first shaft that has an one-side end at which a coupling end of which a diameter is reduced and formed is provided; a second shaft that has an end facing the first shaft at which a coupling groove into which the one-side end of the first shaft is inserted is provided; and an elastic support member having an inner circumferential face into which the coupling end is inserted and an outer circumferential face that is supported on and coupled with an inner circumferential face of the coupling groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: HyunBi Kwon
  • Patent number: 11214322
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods associated with locking a micromobility transit vehicle to a stationary object. A multimodal transportation system may include a docking station including a securement point, and a micromobility transit vehicle securable to the securement point of the docking station. The micromobility transit vehicle may include a storage basket and a lock cable including a first end coupled to the storage basket and a second end. The second end of the lock cable may be securable to the securement point of the docking station to lock the micromobility transit vehicle to the docking station. The storage basket may include a pin lock. The pin lock may engage a locking pin of the lock cable to lock the micromobility transit vehicle via the lock cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Keith Askin, Jeffrey Alan Boyd, Alex Dixon, Garrett Korda Drayna, Merric-Andrew Jaranowski French, Daniel Lami Goldstein, Rochus Emanuel Jacob, Jared Mitchell Kole, Chen-Yu Lin, Oliver Maximilian Mueller, James Jeng-Yeu Peng, Andrew Michael Reimer, Neil Richard Anthony Saldanha, Gary Shambat, Jennifer Uang
  • Patent number: 11203238
    Abstract: A lockable tow device for a vehicle includes a main portion defining a hook or shackle and a connector portion extending from the main portion and forming a receptacle. A pin is received in the receptacle, the pin forming a wrist joint of the tow device. An integral lock has a locked position that prevents removal of the pin and an unlocked position that enables removal of the pin, and can be spaced from the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Town, Kyle R. Boyea
  • Patent number: 11203387
    Abstract: A bicycle seat post isolator assembly constructed to be fixedly engaged in a seat post receiving opening in a bicycle frame. A seat post gripper includes an elongated inner tubular body with an outer elastomeric layer/covering, inserted into the opening to receive a seat post coaxially therein. The layer/covering is positioned between the body and the bicycle frame. A retaining structure designed to be fixed adjacent an edge of the seat post receiving opening with a portion extending into the opening to only engage portions of the outer elastomeric layer/covering of the seat post gripper so as to lock the seat post gripper in the seat post receiving opening, whereby the layer/covering of the gripper is positioned between the body of the gripper with the seat post inserted coaxially into the gripper and the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Tisue, Chris Cocalis, Bill Kibler, Zachary Griendling
  • Patent number: 11198467
    Abstract: A power steering system includes a rack housing arranged to receive a longitudinally displaceable rack member. The system also includes an assist cover connected to the rack housing, the rack housing and the assist cover defining a cavity. The system further includes an assist assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity. The assist assembly includes a power pack connected to at least one of the rack housing and the assist cover, the power pack having a power pack shaft extending therefrom. The assist assembly also includes a drive pulley having a drive pulley shaft that extends between the rack housing and the assist cover, the drive pulley shaft and the power pack shaft separate shafts and operatively coupled to each other. The assist assembly further includes a driven pulley disposed about the rack member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Harris, Gabriel J L McCoy, Christopher L. Walsh, Paul E. Kern
  • Patent number: 11192604
    Abstract: An electric drive motorcycle (100) is competed with a filter box in the rear portion thereof, without limiting the space available for the batteries, comprises: a front portion comprising one or more front wheels and a handlebar; a rear portion comprising a saddle (101), a shell body arranged below said saddle (101), and a rear wheel arranged below said shell body; an intermediate portion extending as a connection between said front portion and said rear portion; an electric drive unit (8) connected to said rear wheel (105); and a hybrid supply unit supplying said electric drive unit (8), comprising at least a battery unit (115) and a combustion engine (116) actuating an electric generator (120), said combustion engine (116) comprising an exhaust duct (133) with an expansion chamber (134) and a filter box (135) for feeding air to the combustion engine (116), wherein said electric generator (120) is apt to supply said battery unit (115) and/or said electric drive unit, wherein, inside the shell body (107) and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Carmignani, Paolo Capozzella, Jury Cantini, Walter Mariotti
  • Patent number: 11186169
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a motor and a transmission including a drive shaft driven by the motor and connecting the motor to the transmission, a first output shaft extending along the vehicle longitudinal axis in the one direction, which first output shaft is connected to a wheel axle by a first differential, and a second output shaft extending along the vehicle longitudinal axis in the opposite direction, which second output shaft is connected to a second wheel axle by a second differential, characterized in that the drive shaft is disposed in the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle and the first and the second output shaft are disposed on opposing sides relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle with identical spacing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Neander Motors AG
    Inventors: Claus Brustle, Lutz W. Lester
  • Patent number: 11186318
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting small, dense cargo over roadways via a specialized transportation trailer are provided. The disclosed transportation trailer includes a space frame including a lower central portion designed to directly receive and support the cargo that is being carried by the trailer, as well as an upper portion that extends above the height of the cargo. The space frame also includes lower side portions that extend longitudinally in opposite directions from the lower central portion to connect the space frame to the wheels and trailer hookup of the transportation trailer. The space frame may further include a truss structure formed between the lower central portion and the upper portion to increase the rigidity of the trailer. The transportation trailer is designed to minimize the height of the cargo's center of gravity, increase trailer rigidity, increase cargo capacity, and maximize ground clearance compared to existing trailer designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Adam Fisher
  • Patent number: 11186327
    Abstract: In one example, a mother cart is provided that is suitable for transporting a daughter cart. The mother cart includes a lower frame, an upper frame connected to the lower frame, and the lower frame includes wheels configured to allow the mother cart to be moved. The lower frame also includes support guides configured to support the daughter cart in a raised position to provide a predetermined ground clearance, and the lower frame has two open sides so as to provide for two-way loading and unloading of the daughter cart on the mother cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SailRail Automated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Scarth, Danny W. Pitcher
  • Patent number: 11186129
    Abstract: A towing coupler for truck or other vehicle includes a body and a hook. A first latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between an open and closed position. In the open position, a draw bar or other towing element of a towed vehicle can be placed on or removed from the hook while in the closed position the first latch retains the draw bar on the hook. A second latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a second pivot axis between first and second positions. The first latch is biased to pivot toward the open position and the second latch is biased to pivot in the opposite direction from the first latch. The first and second latches have surfaces configured for coupling together to retain the first latch in the position to which it is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Premier Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachery D. McCurter
  • Patent number: 11180210
    Abstract: A device for individualizing a bicycle seat comprises a plurality of individually moving parts collectively having the shape of at least the top surface of a generic bicycle seat, the individually moving parts being movable relative to one another in the x-, y- and z-directions to adjust the generic bicycle seat to an adjusted final position that suits the individual comfort tastes of the user of said individualized bicycle seat; and a plurality of sensors connected to the plurality of individually moving parts to detect all adjustments made to the generic bicycle seat to achieve the adjusted final position. Information from the sensors can be downloaded to a computer to form a 3D data file that can be 3D-printed to an individualized bicycle seat. The invention also relates to a method of using the device, the individualized bicycle seat produced, and to a bicycle containing the individualized bicycle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Ridwan Shabsigh
  • Patent number: 11180184
    Abstract: By using various feedback data on a sprayer system, such as sensed positions of power actuators for turning wheels, an onboard logic controller can be used to fine tune parameters of the steering system in an automatic calibration process. In one aspect, a controller can send an electrical signal to a coil of a hydraulic pump to fully extend a power actuator for turning a wheel in a first direction, then incrementally adjust the signal until a change in position of the power actuator is determined, thereby obtaining a precise magnitude for commanding a full extension of the power actuator. Similarly, the controller can change the signal to fully retract the power actuator for turning the wheel in a second direction, then incrementally adjust the signal until a change in position of the power actuator is determined, thereby obtaining a precise magnitude for commanding a full retraction of the power actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Brooks, Steven Winkel
  • Patent number: 11180218
    Abstract: A drive unit includes: a pedal crankshaft to which a pedal stepping force of a rider is applied; an electric motor that detects a torque input to the pedal crankshaft and generates a drive force; and a transmission that changes shift of the drive force of the electric motor and delivers the drive force to the pedal crankshaft, the transmission includes a main shaft that supports a plurality of drive gears and a counter shaft that supports a plurality of driven gears that engage with the plurality of respective drive gears, and the transmission selects one torque delivery gear among the plurality of drive gears, delivers the drive force of the electric motor to the counter shaft, and shifts the torque delivery gear without inverting a rotational direction of the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Tsutsui, Hiroyasu Yoshizawa, Tomochika Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11173948
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle steering apparatus that includes a main rack housing configured to surround a rack bar, a reduction-unit-side rack housing extending to one side of the main rack housing and connected to a reduction unit for reducing motor power, and an input-unit-side rack housing extending to the other side of the main rack housing and connected to a steering input unit having a pinion gear installed thereto, wherein the reduction-unit-side rack housing is formed with a first resonance reduction rib for reducing resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seok Hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 11173949
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering member connected to at least one steerable vehicle wheel. The steering member moves axially to effect turning movement of the at least one steerable vehicle wheel. The steering member has an externally threaded portion. A ball nut assembly is connected with the externally threaded portion of the steering member. The ball nut assembly is rotatable relative to the steering member to axially move the steering member. A first gear member is rotatable in response to rotation of a steering wheel. A second gear member disposed in meshing engagement with the first gear member rotates in response to rotation of the first gear member. The ball nut assembly rotates relative to the steering member in response to rotation of the second gear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY AND ELECTRONICS US LLC
    Inventor: Kevin E. Boyle